Similar to nominate abeillei, but "upperparts, chest, abdomen and flanks everywhere metallic golden-green instead of bronze-green or emerald-green, most conspicuous on the flanks; size averaging considerably smaller" (Miller and Griscom 1925).

Related Species

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data reveals that hummingbirds (Trochilidae) constitute nine major clades, comprising the hermits, mangos, Patagona, topazes, coquettes, brilliants, mountain-gems, bees, and emeralds (McGuire et al. 2007, 2009). Genera that are confirmed as members of the emerald clade are Amazilia, Aphantochroa, Campylopterus, Chalybura, Chlorestes, Chlorostilbon, Chrysuronia, Damophila, Elvira, Eupherusa, Hylocharis, Klais, Lepidopyga, Microchera, Orthorhyncus, Taphrospilus, and Thalurania. Abeillia was not sampled as part of this phylogenetic survey of Trochildae. McGuire et al. (2009) propose, however, that Abeillia also is a member of the emeralds, as are several other genera that were not sampled (Cyanophaia, Cynanthus, Eupetomena, Goethalsia, Goldmania, Leucippus,Leucochloris, Phaeochroa, Stephanoxis, and Trochilus).